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A government committee has prepared a draft agreement for negotiations to purchase Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter jets and attack helicopters, Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday.
He disclosed the development at a press conference in Dhaka on the progress of various government activities.
Referring to recent military conflicts around the world, Zahed said discussions had been taking place over Bangladesh’s possible acquisition of J-10 fighter aircraft.
“We have likely noticed discussions suggesting that Bangladesh may purchase J-10 fighters,” he said.
He also referred to the recent India-Pakistan conflict, claiming that an Indian Rafale fighter had been shot down by a Chinese-made J-10. The circumstances and details of such combat claims have been disputed by the parties involved.
In October last year, the then interim government was reportedly preparing to purchase 20 J-10CE multirole fighter jets from China at an estimated cost of $2.2 billion, or around Tk 27,060 crore, as part of efforts to modernise the Bangladesh Air Force and strengthen the country’s air defence capabilities.
The proposed package was expected to include training, maintenance and other associated costs. The purchase was initially planned for implementation during fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27, with payments spread over 10 fiscal years through 2035–36.
The latest statement indicates that preparations for negotiations on the proposed acquisition are moving forward, although no final purchase agreement has yet been announced.
